Herald Sun: "Tokyo's Colorful Frozen Tuna Auctions"

Above, the entry to the Tsukiji Fish Market.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the more interesting things I saw while in Tokyo two years ago was the Tsukiji Fish Market (officially, it is the Tsukiji Central Wholesale Market).

The Herald Sun (Australia) has a good article on the fish market (along with a video).

They begin it with:

Tsukiji is the biggest fish market in the world, and it's colourful frozen tuna auctions are fast becoming a pit stop on the Tokyo tourist trail.

The auctions are run in two shifts and registration starts at 5am at Kashidoki Bridge.

Only 120 people are allowed into the auctions each day, and there were already tourists waiting in line when news.com.au arrived at 4:30am.

Once inside, punters examine the catch, poking and prodding the giant tuna before lining up to make their bids.

The nearby restaurants served the freshest sushi I've ever tasted. It has been reported that people have to wait in line at the restaurants to get a seat. I must've really lucked out as I got seated immediately.

Above, fish packed in ice in styrofoam boxes.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you are planning a trip to Tokyo, by all means go to the Tsukiji Fish Market. Make sure you do so before next year as, per the article:

The Japanese Government is planning to move the markets to Koto in 2013 so it won’t be long before Tsukiji is shut down.

Above, the day's catch all set for sale.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read the full article and see the video, go here.